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Daily Digest: July 02, 2014

"The disease is enormously affecting the work of the church here as people are moving away from the district and relocating elsewhere."
– The Rev. Solomon Rogers, Kenema district superintendent.

Ebola changes church life in eastern Sierra Leone
KENEMA, Sierra Leone (UMNS) — The Ebola epidemic has forced the relocation of a United Methodist pastor from a new mission area in eastern Sierra Leone and significantly changed congregational life there. The United Methodist Church is launching an Ebola Emergency Response Plan in the West African countries of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

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More on United Methodist Ebola response

UMNS seeks your reflections from summer of 1964
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Did you participate in Freedom Summer? Where were you in July 1964 when Congress passed the Civil Rights Act declaring discrimination based on race was illegal? Send a short written reflection to United Methodist News Service.

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Update on Supreme Court ruling: When does life begin?
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — This story has been updated to include responses from the Rev. Paul T. Stallsworth, president of the unofficial United Methodist group Lifewatch, and Dr. Barbara Lukert, a United Methodist and retired gynecologist. The two share thoughts on the ruling in the Hobby Lobby case and delve into the question of when life begins.

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Sorrow at death of three Israeli teenagers
WASHINGTON (UMNS) — Leaders of the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches have both expressed deep sorrow in response to the deaths of three Israeli teenagers, who were kidnapped June 12. “We grieve with their families, with the nation of Israel, and with people around the world upon learning Eyal Yifrah, Gilad Shaar, and Naftali Fraenkel are no longer with us. We pray for their families and all of their loved ones who even now are surely weeping,” said Jim Winkler, a United Methodist and top executive of the National Council of Churches.

Read WCC statement

Read NCC statement

‘Collective’ offers alternative faith community
DELAND, Fla. (UMNS) — Recognizing that many young adults still seek meaning in faith and in community, members of First United Methodist helped start a congregation, called “Collective,” for those they couldn't reach with modern traditional church services. Suzy Kridner Wymes reports for The Daytona Beach News-Journal.

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Discounts available on 2015 program calendars
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Before Aug. 31, United Methodist Communications is offering discounts on the 2015 Official United Methodist Calendar. The calendar, with the theme “Transforming the World for Christ,” comes in a variety of formats.

See details


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